Anthony Davis scored 30 points with 13 rebounds, and Rui Hachimura scored eight points in the final 3:43, leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a 116-110 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday night, securing control despite the absence of LeBron James due to injury.
LeBron, sidelined due to an ankle injury, missed his first game of the season. In NBA history, LeBron’s absence marked the first time a top scorer sat out during the first quarter, clashing with Kevin Durant in Phoenix on Friday night.
Although LeBron returned to that game, the Lakers decided to give him rest on Sunday night, including the upcoming back-to-back games starting Monday night. Assistant coach Austin Reeves said, “This is Anthony Davis. Whenever he steps on the floor – you never want to miss LeBron or anyone, but whenever you have Anthony Davis on the floor, you have a chance. He changes the game.”
Cam Reddish scored 16 of his 18 points for the Lakers in the first half, and D’Angelo Russell contributed 11 points and 11 assists. Reddish emphasized the need to play with energy, stating, “We just need to come out with a jump and play with our best ability, with energy. Obviously, we got the win, so it’s all good, but I think we can work harder for the full 48. But it was a good win.”
Jeremy Grant scored 23 points for Portland, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 19 points, but the Blazers suffered their third consecutive loss after winning three in a row. They attempted only one free throw in the last three minutes, compared to the Lakers’ 37 attempts.
Portland coach Chauncey Billups praised Anthony Davis, saying, “He’s clearly one of our best players in our game. Sometimes guys step up. … His guards getting him the ball in the post, he punished us a few times because they were able to get it to him in his spots. But he was the best player on the floor and he played well.”
The Lakers built a 13-point lead early in the fourth quarter before the Blazers, trailing 104-103 with just three minutes left, made an 8-2 run, but Hachimura and Reeves secured free throws in the final seconds, sealing the Lakers’ victory.
Skylar Mays, scoring 15 points with 12 assists for Portland, highlighted the challenge of NBA games, saying, “In most games in the NBA, it comes down to execution, because it’s always a two or three-possession game.” He added, “We fought well. We just need to learn how to close out games. It’s early. We have plenty of time to make up for it.”
For Los Angeles, Jared Vanderbilt and Gabe Vincent did not play, while the Blazers were without Malcolm Brogdon, rookie Scooter Henderson, and Anthony Simmons.
Portland’s 27-year-old rookie center, Dupree Reith, scored 11 points in his NBA debut. The Australian-born player, who played for some time with Miami and Washington last season, made a 3-pointer for his first basket early in the second quarter.
Reith said, “Getting on the court has always been a dream. Despite the ups and downs, it’s been amazing.”
After signing a two-way deal at the start of the day, Blazers guard Jamauri Bouyea had six points in his NBA debut. The second-year guard from the University of San Francisco had played for Miami and Washington for some time last season.
Mattise Thybulle scored 14 points with four 3-pointers in the first half for the Lakers, but he did not return between the third quarter, and Portland did not get back, announcing that he would not return due to injury.